We all get headaches from time to time, but if you suffer from tension or migraine headaches your everyday life can be impeded.

The good news is that muscle relaxant therapy can be used as a treatment for people who suffer from headaches and migraines.

You may have thought that muscle relaxants where just for reducing wrinkles, but this treatment is used by neurologists all over the world and is suitable for those who suffer tension headaches or migraines.

If you have ever suffered from a migraine, you will recognise the difference between a regular headache and a migraine, often referred to as a ‘sick headache’. Migraines can cause nausea and vomiting as wells as sensitivity to movement, light or sound.

Most people who continually suffer from migraines, which can last for approximately 4 to 72 hours, have reported that they experience a reduction in social activities and their work capacity.

So don’t let those constant headaches or migraines take control of your life, no one should have to put up with the discomfort and pain they can trigger.

Muscle relaxant injection therapy could be the answer for you!

Headaches and Migraine

Frequently Asked Questions

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  • Migraines are severe headaches that can typically last for 4 to 72 hours and sufferers can become sick to their stomach and may vomit. Other symptoms may include sensitivity to movement, light or sound.

    Often sufferers of migraines will say they can only lie in a dark, quiet room during the attack.

  • Genetics and environmental factors appear to play a role in the cause of migraines.

    It can be common for certain smells, foods, hormonal changes in women or stress will trigger the migraine, yet many sufferers are unaware of the initiating factors.

    Essentially migraines may be caused by changes in the brainstem and its interactions with the trigeminal nerve, a major pain pathway.

  • In Australia alone there are more than three million migraine sufferers and many people remain undiagnosed or untreated.

    Some studies have indicated that 12-15% of the population suffer from migraines.

    Migraines are a very common and debilitating condition, affecting your capacity to function in your daily life.

  • The muscle relaxant therapy injections are typically given on a three month cycle over a 15 month period.

    The treatment will be in the form of multiple injections in specific points of the head, neck and back. See the diagram below:

  • Complications using muscle relaxant therapy is not very common, but some people can suffer neck pain and stiffness at the injections site and a mild headache.

    Having been widely used for nearly three decades, there have been no known increases in long term side-effects such as cancer or any other side-effects. It is generally very safe to use in experienced hands. The most common side effect is occasional tenderness and bruising at the site of injection. Patients should avoid aspirin, Ibuprofen/Nurofen, or blood thinning agents prior to treatment for at least one week. It is common to experience some mild raised lumps in the hour or so after injection. These can be covered up or minimised easily with the application of makeup.

    There is a very small risk of the muscle relaxant injection therapy causing a temporary weakness in nearby muscles such as a slight and temporary drooping, for instance of an eyelid or eyebrow lasting one to six weeks. This eyebrow droop or eyelid droop can occur in approximately 1 in 500 to 1000 cases, depending on the dose injected. This tends to last only for a short time because it is due to the tracking along the tissue at a lower concentration. Your doctor can prescribe eye drops to help reverse this side effect.

    Allergies and double vision have been reported however these reports are rare.

    All in all, the safety profile of muscle relaxant injection therapy is excellent when used in experienced hands.

    As with many drugs, muscle relaxant injection therapy should not be given to pregnant or breastfeeding women or patients with neuromuscular disorders such as myasthenia gravis or Eaton-Lambert syndrome. If you have any other health issues, please discuss this with our team at your initial appointment.

  • The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme subsidises muscle relaxant injections for eligible patients who are 18 years or older and suffer from chronic migraine.

    The patient must have experienced an average of 15 or more headache days per month, with at least 8 days of migraine, over a period of at least 6 months, before commencement of treatment with muscle relaxants. The patient must have achieved and maintained a 50% or greater reduction from baseline in the number of headache days per month after 2 treatment cycles, each of 12 weeks duration to be eligible for continuing PBS-subsidised treatment.

    Please be aware that only Neurologists are eligible to give you the Medicare Rebate, however we can offer muscle relaxants for tension or migraine headaches without rebate.

    You may find that you either don’t qualify for the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme subsidy or you may have to wait for an extended period to visit a Neurologist.

    Many of our clients having muscle relaxants injections for anti-ageing treatments have experienced less severity with headaches after having injections in their forehead and frown lines. These injections are often much lower dosages compared to what you would receive from a Neurologist.